Body Cover Wrap

ABSTRACT

The present application is directed to garments that provide a covering for skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodiment discloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration. In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towards the body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In one embodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion. One embodiment includes a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/214,817 filed on Apr. 29, 2009, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present application is directed to garments and, more particularly,to a wrap that is worn around the waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks, arms,or legs of a wearer to cover up imperfections in the skin of the wearer.

The skin, a protective membrane covering the exterior of the body, iscomprised of three layers. The epidermis which is the outer layer, thedermis which is the middle layer, and the stratum or deepest layer.Stretch marks and skin alterations usually occur in the dermis. Thedermis is an elastic, resilient middle layer which allows skin to retainits shape. When the dermis is stretched over time as in pregnancy andobesity, the skin becomes less elastic and connective fibers in thedermis can break and tear. The result is skin alterations like stretchmarks and loose skin. This skin distension resulting in stretch marksand flab can occur on numerous areas of the body, namely the abdomen,thigh and buttock. Such damage to the skin can also be caused bylactation, weight lifting, aging, and other stressful activities thatresult in tension build up in the dermis.

Skin imperfections and scars are a major problem for women, especiallyafter pregnancy. There have been numerous topical creams, oils, andsolutions developed which women apply to the skin before or afterpregnancy to help diminish, limit, and camouflage the marks. Mosttreatments have been unsuccessful or mildly effective. In the UnitedStates it is estimated that about 90 percent of women who have gonethrough pregnancy and 70 percent of adolescent females have stretchmarks.

Many women also experience stretched skin or flabby skin in the stomacharea after weight loss. Surgical solutions such as tummy tucks haveresulted in some women redefining their stomach area, especiallysurrounding the naval. However, surgical procedures may not be effectivefor eliminating or reducing stretch marks and other skin imperfections,and many women are unwilling to undergo surgical procedures.

Additionally, a condition called cellulite may occur in females afterpuberty. This condition results from a collection of fat that pushesagainst the connective tissue beneath the skin causing the surface ofthe skin to dimple or pucker in areas of the thighs, abdomen, andbuttocks. This condition may leave women feeling apprehensive whenexposing those areas of their body.

Many women with skin imperfections desire to wear bikini swim wear,midriff tops, or high cut underwear. As a result of these skinimperfections, they may instead relegate themselves to wearing one-pieceswimwear that affords more complete coverage.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to garments that provide a coveringfor skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodimentdiscloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and asecond end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration.In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towardsthe body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In oneembodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable bothhorizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panelconforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering theshape of the body portion. One embodiment includes a decorative fabricpanel attached to the stretchable fabric panel. In one embodiment, astorage pouch is attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

The garment may provide a remedy to unsightly skin imperfections in theabdomen, waist, stomach, midsection, thigh, arm, and buttocks bodyportions of the wearer. The garment provides a covering for bodyportions deemed unattractive by the wearer by utilizing a generallycylindrical-shaped garment made of stretchable fabric that providescomfort and a form-fitting smooth and seamless appearance to desiredareas of the body. The garment may include a stretchable fabric panelthat is positioned by the wearer around the circumference of the bodyportion to provide a form-fitting body wrap that covers skinimperfections, cellulite, and fatty areas. The body wrap may be used asan attractive outerwear garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a stretchable fabric panel according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a body wrap according to one embodiment

FIG. 3 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body wrap according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front schematic view of a stretchable fabric panel accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a body wrap and decorative fabric panelaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a person wearing first and second body wrapsaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap with a pouchaccording to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to garments that provide a coveringfor skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodimentdiscloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and asecond end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration.In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towardsthe body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In oneembodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable bothhorizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panelconforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering ashape of the body portion.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a stretchable fabric panel 12 of a bodywrap 10. The stretchable fabric panel 12 may be constructed of fibers ofan elasticized material that allows the stretchable fabric panel 12 tobe yieldable both horizontally and vertically. Example materials thatmay be used for the stretchable fabric panel 12 include, but are notlimited to, Lycra, spandex, elastane, and/or blends thereof. Thestretchable fabric panel 12 may also include, but is not limited to, oneor more different fibers such as cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic,rayon, and blends thereof to impart other desired properties.

Although the stretchable fabric panel 12 may include fibers of more thanone material as described above, in one embodiment the stretchablefabric panel 12 is homogeneous throughout. That is, the stretchablefabric panel 12 may not include reinforcing bands, inserts, or panelsthat may tend to provide support or shaping functions for the bodyportion covered beyond that of the stretchable fabric panel 12 itself.

The stretchable fabric panel 12 may include first end 14 and second end16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second ends14, 16 are joined together at seam 18 to form a hollow, generallycylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape allows the wearer to step intothe body wrap 10 and pull the body wrap 10 up to the body portion to becovered. Alternatively, the wearer may first pass their arms through thecylinder and pull the body wrap 10 over their head and down to the bodypart to be covered. The stretchable fabric panel 12 may also include aninner surface 30 disposed toward the body, and an outer surface 32disposed away from the body.

The body wrap 10 when in the cylindrical shape as illustrated in FIG. 2,defines an upper opening 20 and a lower opening 22. The upper opening 20has a diameter D1 and the lower opening 22 has a diameter D2. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, the diameter D1 of the upper opening 20 isapproximately equal to the diameter D2 of the lower opening 22. Thisembodiment may be advantageously worn on the midsection or abdomen onthe wearer as illustrated in FIG. 3, as well as on the legs or arms. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the diameter D1 of the upperopening 20 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the lower opening 22. Thisembodiment may be advantageously worn over the abdomen and hips asillustrated in FIG. 5, where the larger diameter D2 of the lower opening22 affords better conformity over both the hips and abdomen of thewearer.

The material of construction selected for the stretchable fabric panel12 may have a percent stretch in the horizontal and/or verticaldirections in the range of about 50 percent to about 200 percent. Thepercent stretch may be selected such that the body wrap 10 conforms tothe shape of the body portion covered without changing the shape thebody portion has without the body wrap 10. Thus, in one embodiment, thebody wrap 10 simply conforms to the body portion without providing anyappreciable support to the body portion or any appreciable shaping ofthe body portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates the stretchable fabric panel 12 without the first andsecond ends 14,16 attached. The stretchable fabric panel 12 has anunstretched length L as measured from the first end 14 to the second end16. The length L chosen may depend on a number of factors, such as theintended size of the body wrap 10. For example, the length L of a sizesmall body wrap 10 may be less than the length L of a size large bodywrap 10. In one embodiment, the length L ranges from about 12 inches toabout 50 inches, although other lengths L are within the scope of thepresent invention.

The stretchable fabric panel 12 has an unstretched width W as measuredfrom an upper edge 24 to a lower edge 26. The width W may be selected toprovide varying amounts of coverage. Generally, the width W may vary inone embodiment from about 6 inches to about 15 inches, although otherwidths W are within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the body wrap 10 is intended to be worn as adecorative outer garment that is visible to an observer, not hiddenbeneath other garments. Accordingly, the outer surface 32 of the bodywrap 10 may include a decorative color or pattern (not shown) on atleast a portion of the outer surface 32.

To further accentuate the decorative nature of one embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 7 illustrates the body wrap 10 with a decorativefabric panel 28 attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12. In theembodiment of FIG. 7, the decorative fabric panel 28 is in the generalform of a skirt. However, any shape or design known in the art may beused for the decorative fabric panel 28. For example, the decorativefabric panel 28 may comprise a tubular shape (not shown) that encirclesat least part of the stretchable fabric panel 12. In one embodiment, aplurality of decorative fabric panels 28 may be attached to thestretchable fabric panel 12, such as in the form of a plurality ofstrips (not shown) attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12. In eachof these embodiments, the decorative fabric panel 28 may be releasablyattached to the stretchable fabric panel 12 to allow interchangeabilityof decorative fabric panels 28 for coordination with other garments.

One embodiment includes multiple body wraps 10 worn by the wearersimultaneously. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates the wearer wearing afirst body wrap 10A such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 around themidsection and a second body wrap 10B such as that illustrated in FIG. 4around the hips. Any combination of body wraps 10 on any combination ofbody portions may be utilized. In one embodiment, the first body wrap10A and second body wrap 10B are configured to releasable attach to oneanother using devices known in the art such as snaps, hooks, stitching,zippers, buttons, and hook and loop fasteners to name but a few.

Due to the flexible characteristic of the stretchable fabric panel 12,the wearer may fold down a portion of the upper edge 24 or may fold up aportion of the lower edge 26. This may allow the user to custom fit thebody wrap 10 to a specific shape of the body. For example, when the bodywrap 10 is worn around the abdomen, portions of the upper edge may befolded down to avoid contact with the ribcage. Similarly, portions ofthe lower edge 26 may be folded up to better conform to the hips.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a storage pouch 34attached to the body wrap 10 to store items such as a wallet, coins,cell phone, or the like. The pouch 34 may be attached to the outersurface 32 or inner surface 30 of the stretchable fabric panel 12.Additionally, the pouch 34 may be releasably attached to the stretchablefabric panel 12 so that the pouch 34 may be removed when not needed.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain thepositioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the garment in additionto different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further,terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describevarious elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended tobe limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”,“comprising”, and the like are open ended terms that indicate thepresence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additionalelements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways thanthose herein set forth without departing from the scope and essentialcharacteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A garment for covering a body portion of a wearer, comprising: astretchable fabric panel to cover the body portion, the stretchablefabric panel having a first end and a second end, the first and secondends joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration with aninner surface disposed towards the body and an outer surface disposedaway from the body; wherein the stretchable fabric panel is resilientlyyieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchablefabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generallyunaltering the shape of the body portion.
 2. The garment of claim 1,wherein the outer surface is adorned with colors or designs such thatthe garment may be worn as an outergarment.
 3. The garment of claim 1,further comprising a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchablefabric panel.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the decorative fabricpanel is releasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel.
 5. Thegarment of claim 3, wherein the decorative fabric panel forms a skirt.6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable fabric panel has anupper edge and a lower edge, and a vertical distance between the upperand lower edges is at least six inches.
 7. The garment of claim 1,wherein the stretchable fabric panel is homogeneous throughout.
 8. Thegarment of claim 1, further comprising a storage pouch attached to thestretchable fabric panel.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein thestretchable fabric panel is comprised of a single fabric panel.
 10. Thegarment of claim 1, further comprising a second stretchable fabric panelattached to the stretchable fabric panel such that the secondstretchable fabric panel at least partially covers a different bodyportion than the stretchable fabric panel.
 11. A garment for covering abody portion of a wearer, comprising: a stretchable fabric panel tocover the body portion, the fabric panel having a first end and a secondend, the first and second ends joined together to form a hollowcylindrical configuration with an inner surface disposed toward the bodyand an outer surface disposed away from the body; and a decorativefabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel and covering atleast a portion of the outer surface; wherein the stretchable fabricpanel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically suchthat the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the bodyportion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion. 12.The garment of claim 11, wherein the decorative fabric panel isreleasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel.
 13. The garment ofclaim 11, wherein the decorative fabric panel is releasably attached inproximity to an upper edge of the stretchable fabric panel andunattached in proximity to a lower edge of the stretchable fabric panel.14. The garment of claim 11, wherein the stretchable fabric panel ishomogeneous throughout.
 15. A garment for covering a body portion of awearer, comprising: a stretchable fabric panel to cover the bodyportion, the stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a secondend, the first and second ends joined together to form a hollowcylindrical configuration defining an upper opening and a lower openingwherein a vertical distance from the upper opening to the lower openingis at least six inches; wherein the stretchable fabric panel isresiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that thestretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion whilegenerally unaltering the shape of the body portion.
 16. The garment ofclaim 15, wherein the stretchable fabric panel is homogeneousthroughout.